Withdrawal of action 'could unite party'
The withdrawal of disciplinary action against three rebel Ulster Unionist MPs could unite the party, they claimed today.
Nine hundred members of the party’s ruling council gathered in Belfast’s Ulster Hall for a crucial showdown over the disciplinary action, and one of the MPs, David Burnside, appealed to delegates to put party unity before internal divisions.
“I want the disciplinary action stopped,” the South Antrim MP said.
“The party officers made a mistake and I agree exactly with what (the former deputy leader) John Taylor said yesterday.
“That is a course of action that can start us on the path to reunite the party.
“If we embark upon the route that the leader of the party is suggesting it will lead to confrontation with half the parliamentary party, the three MPs and the Ulster Unionist associations.
“That is no way to go ahead.”
The Ulster Unionist Council will today debate disciplinary action against Mr Burnside, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and South Belfast MP the Rev Martin Smyth.
Supporters of David Trimble initiated the disciplinary moves after the MPs resigned the party whip in June in a dispute over policy.
UUP sources today claimed that the vote would hinge on the votes of several key figures who have previously supported UUP leader David Trimble.
Former Stormont Economy Minister Reg Empey was attracting the most interest.
During the summer he has been critical of the disciplinary action and has appealed to the feuding factions in the party to end their dispute.
There were also suggestions that former Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy, former West Tyrone MLA Derek Hussey and former North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain would oppose the leadership.
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble was in jovial form heading in to today's meeting, refusing to comment on how the council would vote.
However, long-term supporters of Mr Trimble rallied around him.
Former Stormont Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey said he believed the vote would be close but once again Mr Trimble would carry the day.
“I think that David Trimble will emerge victorious,” the South Belfast councillor said.
“As far as all this talk about the disciplinary action splitting the party is concerned, I think the party’s amendment to the motion before the council today deals with that.
“If they resume the whip and abide by the decisions of the Ulster Unionist Council then that is the end of the matter.
“I think that taking the whip of the party is understood to be fundamental to membership of the party. So I don’t see that there should be conflict there.”
Mr McGimpsey would not comment on reports that his former Stormont cabinet colleague Sir Reg Empey would vote against the leadership.
“I’d rather wait and see what happens,” he said.
